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Topic: How to write your own first book - experiences and opinions? - page 2. (Read 799 times)

jr. member
Activity: 69
Merit: 5
I think reading and writing somehow belong together. Normally you probably start with reading books, often you stay with it. Now and then, however, it appeals to you to write such stories yourself. Stories that have moved you, that have been fun, that have distracted you from your stressful everyday life,... You want to try that yourself and bring your stories to other people.
I think very few people start writing because they want to earn money with it. First and foremost, it's about bringing your stories closer to other people or because you feel the same way when you write as you do when you read (stress is reduced, you forget about everyday life,...).
At some point you will surely reach a point where you want more. And what comes after reading, after writing - a publication.
I think you can compare it well with sports. I saw my father playing soccer, then I started playing myself. Later I earned a little money with it and at some point I wanted more. For me, this is a very natural development that happens in many areas.
newbie
Activity: 24
Merit: 1
I think most people who enjoy writing also enjoy reading other authors' books. It is simply something special to be able to immerse oneself in the thought worlds of other people through texts. And through the same medium to be able to offer other people the opportunity to dive into a world that you yourself have created. That one does something like this not only for oneself and has no interest in having one's book published, is something I can only imagine for very few authors. Most of those who finish their book probably want to see it published successfully. That you can only try, but not force, I also see so. But in the meantime there are so many different possibilities that there should be something for everyone who seriously wants to do it.
jr. member
Activity: 69
Merit: 5
I also want to be a writer. Of course writing is not easy. I have to look for references first as well as a quiet enough time to write. Writing and reading are my hobbies. So I write because I like it, but sometimes I also want my book published, and I become a writer.

I always look for the right time to write, if my mood is peaceful and serene, I always write. But, if my mood is not good, I won't write, because it makes my writing a bit bad and I can't concentrate.

I don't think you should put yourself under too much pressure. You should continue to see writing as a hobby. At some point you reach a point where you can try it with a publication. You can't force it.

I've often heard it the other way around, where writing is used to get back into the right mood and wipe away all the worries of everyday life.
jr. member
Activity: 69
Merit: 5
I also read a lot, but not to copy from other authors, but to be inspired by their stories and also to reflect on which elements of the writing style I like well and which I like less. I think the knowledge and skills could also be well honed in a workshop. To see what my chances are, I contacted Novum Publishing with a sample of my book. I got feedback from the service publisher that they could see potential and that I should keep at it. I can contact them again when I am finished with my work and then they will see how they can support me on the way to publishing my book. However, I'm sure it will be some time before that happens. I've made good progress, but there's no end in sight yet. And when I'm done, I want to give the book to a few beta readers first and get feedback, and then start editing it myself. I think that will be a good piece of work again. But I'm looking forward to when the story is ready to be polished before handing the project over to professionals.

Learning from other authors does not mean copying them. Copying would be just changing the names in a story and then selling it as your story. But learning from other authors how to give a person a real character is not copying. You don't have to copy it 1:1, but you should learn from it.
You should always have the will to improve and develop. There are certainly several methods how you can do that. You should not assume that you know and can do everything. Even if you have already published several books, you have to adapt again and again. Readers often want something different and trends change.
Finish your book and then get back to that publisher. The publisher will know how to get feedback or will give you feedback themselves. You will certainly have to rewrite one or the other part of the book.
jr. member
Activity: 126
Merit: 2
I also want to be a writer. Of course writing is not easy. I have to look for references first as well as a quiet enough time to write. Writing and reading are my hobbies. So I write because I like it, but sometimes I also want my book published, and I become a writer.

I always look for the right time to write, if my mood is peaceful and serene, I always write. But, if my mood is not good, I won't write, because it makes my writing a bit bad and I can't concentrate.
jr. member
Activity: 84
Merit: 1
Well, what will be the next steps? My own first book is still not finished. First I'll finish it, then I'll put it aside for a while and then start editing.

When I'm done with that, I'll look for beta reader. Do you have any tips on where I can find some? I'm sure I'll get feedback from friends and family, but not a completely neutral one.

The next step would be to see how I can get my book published. I've ruled out self-publishing in the meantime, I think I'll try my luck with publishers and service publishers. After a thorough examination of the contracts, there should be something suitable at some point.
newbie
Activity: 24
Merit: 1
Joining creative writing classes is a great idea! I've also noticed that publishers specifically targeting new authors offer such workshops. That could also be very interesting.
It's also not just about "why" you write, but also "for whom" - you should always have a specific target group in mind. This is important for all areas in the book.
And as is said here - writing a book is a lot of hard work and usually takes a long time. Professional help is usually indispensable..

When I envision my readers, I don't have a unified group in mind. I think it's similar to those who are interested in cryptocurrencies. They are people of different nationalities, different ages, with very different lifestyles and professions. All of them are certainly interested in the future and new technologies. There are also no children and probably relatively few old people. I think that would also coincide with the target group I have in mind for my book.

Having a target group in front of your eyes is already important, I think... but that's just my personal assessment. You would have to ask around for experiences, for example from publishers. If you are interested in such workshops, then such questions will certainly be clarified there.
As you say, having beta readers would certainly be helpful to get constructive and broad feedback... of course you can also do this with friends and relatives - but it is important that "professional" people take a look at it so that you get really broad (and honest!) feedback.
Have you already planned the next steps?
jr. member
Activity: 84
Merit: 1
It will also be important to read other books in your own genre and try to observe the market a bit yourself. Perhaps one recognizes a trend. If you come up with a book about vampires now, you're probably a little late. That would have been great 10 years ago.
You don't have to copy other authors, but you should learn from them. How do they build characters, how do they build a story...? You learn all that in such workshops.
You could also meet with other authors. Maybe there is a kind of book club only for authors. There are also training courses in the field of writing. Maybe that would be a good idea, or you could go to the university and listen to some literature lectures.
I also read a lot, but not to copy from other authors, but to be inspired by their stories and also to reflect on which elements of the writing style I like well and which I like less. I think the knowledge and skills could also be well honed in a workshop. To see what my chances are, I contacted Novum Publishing with a sample of my book. I got feedback from the service publisher that they could see potential and that I should keep at it. I can contact them again when I am finished with my work and then they will see how they can support me on the way to publishing my book. However, I'm sure it will be some time before that happens. I've made good progress, but there's no end in sight yet. And when I'm done, I want to give the book to a few beta readers first and get feedback, and then start editing it myself. I think that will be a good piece of work again. But I'm looking forward to when the story is ready to be polished before handing the project over to professionals.
jr. member
Activity: 84
Merit: 1
Joining creative writing classes is a great idea! I've also noticed that publishers specifically targeting new authors offer such workshops. That could also be very interesting.
It's also not just about "why" you write, but also "for whom" - you should always have a specific target group in mind. This is important for all areas in the book.
And as is said here - writing a book is a lot of hard work and usually takes a long time. Professional help is usually indispensable..

When I envision my readers, I don't have a unified group in mind. I think it's similar to those who are interested in cryptocurrencies. They are people of different nationalities, different ages, with very different lifestyles and professions. All of them are certainly interested in the future and new technologies. There are also no children and probably relatively few old people. I think that would also coincide with the target group I have in mind for my book.
jr. member
Activity: 84
Merit: 1
I'm not a writer. but my sister is a writer. what he needs as a writer is that he is always looking for more inspiration while being alone. so that he can concentrate well on writing his book. and if it's a novel, then the difficult part is when we tell it, it must make the reader able to imagine what the author imagined. good luck mate
Thank you! You're right, it's damn hard to write in a way that creates the same image in the reader's mind as it does for the author. That's why I think it's important to find beta readers every now and then who can give you honest feedback. Of course, this is no substitute for professional editing by the publisher before the book is published. People who deal with it on a daily basis know best what details they need to pay attention to and what can and should be improved.
jr. member
Activity: 69
Merit: 5
It will also be important to read other books in your own genre and try to observe the market a bit yourself. Perhaps one recognizes a trend. If you come up with a book about vampires now, you're probably a little late. That would have been great 10 years ago.
You don't have to copy other authors, but you should learn from them. How do they build characters, how do they build a story...? You learn all that in such workshops.
You could also meet with other authors. Maybe there is a kind of book club only for authors. There are also training courses in the field of writing. Maybe that would be a good idea, or you could go to the university and listen to some literature lectures.
newbie
Activity: 24
Merit: 1
Joining creative writing classes is a great idea! I've also noticed that publishers specifically targeting new authors offer such workshops. That could also be very interesting.
It's also not just about "why" you write, but also "for whom" - you should always have a specific target group in mind. This is important for all areas in the book.
And as is said here - writing a book is a lot of hard work and usually takes a long time. Professional help is usually indispensable..
newbie
Activity: 42
Merit: 0
Once I also tried to write a book, but it was soo hard! I wish you a lot of luck!
hero member
Activity: 630
Merit: 611
I'm not a writer. but my sister is a writer. what he needs as a writer is that he is always looking for more inspiration while being alone. so that he can concentrate well on writing his book. and if it's a novel, then the difficult part is when we tell it, it must make the reader able to imagine what the author imagined. good luck mate
brand new
Activity: 0
Merit: 0
I've made an article for you, if you would like to take a look at it, you can follow the link I've provided.

https://ramerlacida.medium.com/tips-for-writing-your-first-book-in-2022-263e3bcff26d
jr. member
Activity: 84
Merit: 1
Of course, a single, normal vacation is not enough to write an entire book. My vacation is over now, but I have made a lot of progress in writing and have rediscovered my joy in writing. I want to maintain that in everyday life and continue to work on my work. So I write for myself, but would also be happy to be able to reach readers with my finished book.

I am thinking about a workshop in creative writing. Taking a course directly with a publisher sounds like a good idea.

I'll read your article lacidamarketing right away. Do you have any experience writing and publishing books yourself?
jr. member
Activity: 69
Merit: 5
You will almost never "feel" like writing, so you'll have to force yourself to do it.

Depends on why you are writing. If you consider writing as a hobby, then it can be a good release from stressful everyday life. Some people do sports and achieve the same result. Therefore, one can also have the need to write, just like sports.

I wouldn't let anyone read it until I'm mostly satisfied with it.

Feedback from other authors can help, too. If you're still learning, I wouldn't pass it up. Or go to writing classes and learn. Then go to professional writers who offer such courses. Look at offers from publishers who offer courses for writers (Novum publishing,...) read blog articles, look at tutorials on Youtube,.... There are many possibilities. But I would not be ashamed to show my creations to others. No master has fallen from the sky:)
newbie
Activity: 13
Merit: 0
I haven’t written a book. If you want to write a book, you should know who you want to write for. If it’s something you expect to publish it later on. Then, you need to study about structuring and other details. You can join a creative writing class.
newbie
Activity: 24
Merit: 1
you have to keep in mind that you can't just write a book during a vacation... unless you're on vacation for months now, if not years :-) so I don't know to what extent you want to write a book... is it just for you or for friends and relatives or do you really want to publish it professionally? You'll have to come up with a plan - but you do, I see… at least thinking of one… :-)
If you don't have any experience with writing, I would also recommend workshops at special publishers for new authors. There you can learn a lot and avoid going in the wrong direction all the time... The professionals can help you in time and save you a lot of work when you think you're done with your book....
What is it about, if you don't mind me asking?
jr. member
Activity: 84
Merit: 1
Thinking more than feeling when I write is hard for me. Professionally, I'm used to thinking first and foremost, and it's hard for me to break free from that. Sitting down at my computer is easy. Writing a few lines is too. But then I read it again and delete it right away. I think I still need to figure out what type of writer I am.

As for sharing with readers, I'm nowhere near there yet. I'm only writing for myself at the moment, after all, it's about my dream. I wouldn't let anyone read it until I'm mostly satisfied with it. If I succeed in writing a good book, however, I would definitely like to have it published someday. But I don't know if you have a realistic chance as a new author.
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